What is the SPIRITUAL explanation to Shiva's manifestation as Shri Dakshina Murthy?

 

 

There is a story associated with Shri Dakshinamurty.

Lord Brahma had four manas putra (mind born sons). Their names were – Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatsujata. These four sons of Brahma were unusually precocious. At a young age they wanted to pursue spiritual wisdom. So they left their father behind. Apparently the search went on for very long time. When they found their Guru, they were old. They literally searched for lifetime.

They finally went to mount Kailash to meet Lord Shiva. He appears as a young teacher. He sits at the foot of Banyan tree. These elderly shishyas sits near him. He proceeds to teach them in silence.

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Two versions of Skanda Puranas are available.

a) Dakshinamurthy was not mentioned In the Skanda Purana, divided based on Khandas basis, ie., the Maheshwara Khanda, the Vaishnava Khanda, the Brahma Khanda, the Kashi Khanda, the Avanti Khanda, Nagara Khanda, and the Prabhasa Khanda.

b) However, Dakshinamurthy was mentioned in the One Version of Skanda Purana, ie., which was divided on Samhita basis. It is available in the Sūta Saṃhitā (3.4), within the 4th chapter (Mocakakathanam) of the Mukti khaṇḍa.

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The general understanding of Dakshinamurti is as follows:

Dakshina means South, and murti means form. Hence, Dakshinamurti means South facing God.

In most of the Shiva temples, the stone image of Dakshinamurti is installed, facing south, on the southern circumambulatory path around the sanctum sanctorum.

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There is a stotra on Dakshinamurti, stated to have been composed by Shri Adi Shankara.

I am not going into the discussion as to whether Shri Shankara composed it or not.

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Contrary to popular perception that Dakshinamurti means South facing God, my understanding is that Dakshinamurti indicates, the DIVINITY that encourages/propounds Vedic Way of life or Dakṣiṇācāra (दक्षिणाचार ).

In Vedic Sanskrit, Dakshina indicates Right side, while Savyam indicates Left side.

Rig Veda 8.24.5

न ते सव्यं न दक्षिणं हस्तं वरन्त आमुरः । न परिबाधो हरिवो गविष्टिषु ॥
na te savyaṃ na dakṣiṇaṃ hastaṃ varanta āmuraḥ | na paribādho harivo gaviṣṭiṣu ||

English translation:

“Lord of steeds, in the recovery of the cattle the opponents resist not your left hand nor your right, your enemies (resist you) not.”

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In Rig Veda, Dakṣiṇa indicates, apart from Right Side, the discerning power (Dakṣa) of the Individual in what way one should proceed in spiritual practices.

In Rig Veda, the BRAHMAN (Indra) was mentioned as the embodiment of Dakṣiṇa.

Rig Veda 7.32.3

रायस्कामो वज्रहस्तं सुदक्षिणं पुत्रो न पितरं हुवे ॥
rāyaskāmo vajrahastaṃ sudakṣiṇam putro na pitaraṃ huve ||

English translation:

“Desirous of riches, I call upon the benevolent wielder of the Illumination - vajrahastaṃ, the embodiment of discerning power - sudakṣiṇam, as a son upon a father.”

Hence, Dakshinamurti indicates the propounder/encourager of Vedic way of life or Dakṣiṇācāra (दक्षिणाचार ).

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The word Dakṣiṇa was mentioned even in Ramayana in respect of Shri Rama, Sita and Shri Hanuman, indicating that they were the followers of Vedic way of life.

a) In respect of Sita

When Shri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were crossing the river Ganga to reach Chitrakuta.

तथा सम्भाषमाणा सा सीता गङ्गामनिन्दिता।

दक्षिणा दक्षिणं तीरं क्षिप्रमेवाभ्युपागमत्।।2.52.92।।

While the unblemished, follower of Vedic way of life (दक्षिणा), Sita was thus addressing (the river), the boat swiftly reached the Southern bank -दक्षिणं तीरं.

b) In respect of Shri Rama

When Surpanakha meets Shri Rama, the Surpanakha was mentioned as old - वृद्धा and the follower of non-vedic way of life Vāma - वाम, while Shri Rama was mentioned as young (तरुणम्), follower of Vedic way of life - दक्षिणः- Dakṣiṇah.

प्रीतिरूपं विरूपा सा सुस्वरं भैरवस्वरा।

तरुणं दारुणा वृद्धा दक्षिणं वामभाषिणी।।3.17.11।।

He was lovely in appearance, she was ugly. His voice was sweet, hers was shrill. He was young and follower of Vedic way of life, she was old and the follower of non-vedic way of life.

c) In respect of Shri Hanuman

When Shri Hanuman was about to jump for crossing the ocean towards Lanka.

अञ्जलिं प्राङ्मुखः कुर्वन् पवनायात्मयोनये।

ततो हि ववृधे गन्तुं दक्षिणो दक्षिणां दिशम्।।5.1.9।।

Hanuman, the follower of Vedic way life - दक्षिणो endowed with great equanimity, facing the east and joining his palms by way of salutation to the Wind god, his father, he enlarged his size and turned South in order to depart - गन्तुं दक्षिणां दिशम्.